The Salisbury University baseball team had hit a low point in the season.

After a strong start to 2018, which included the opening of a brand-new facility, the Sea Gulls had dropped three of their last four heading into the final week of March.

One player who was eager to do something about the recent slump was junior infielder Jack Barry. Salisbury’s third baseman had been named a preseason All-American, but missed six games early on due to an injury.

As a leader on the Sea Gulls’ squad, Barry knew he needed help turning the team around, so following Salisbury's loss against Gwynedd Mercy, the junior turned to his father for advice.

“He told me that we needed to change the mojo following a couple losses … so he said to change the mojo, I needed to cut my hair,” Barry said.

Barry had been sporting his long locks all season, drawing physical comparisons to MLB players like Johnny Damon and Jacob DeGrom.

The third baseman’s curls had become a part of Barry, but desperate to rid the team of the recent losing streak, the junior took his father’s advice and found the nearest barber.

When he had his hair cut March 28, the Gulls had just taken down Wesley a few hours prior, but the upcoming contest against rival Frostburg would be the test for Barry’s new hairstyle.

Going scoreless through four innings, Salisbury finally found its groove in the fifth, going on to roll over the Bobcats 14-4. Barry finished the contest with one hit, a run and an RBI to help give the Gulls the victory.

With the absence of his hair, the Salisbury junior said he felt like a whole new player.

Flash forward three weeks later, and Salisbury still hasn’t lost, riding a 14-game win streak late in the season.

As for Barry, he keeps thinking back to the decision to cut his hair, wondering if the "bad mojo" was really inhabiting his long locks.

“It’s worked, so I’m not complaining,” Barry said with a laugh. “I’m not really attributing it to that, we’ve been playing well, but we haven’t lost since I cut it.”

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Salisbury University's Jack Barry (22) at bat during a game against Cortland on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.(Photo: Staff Photo by Ralph Musthaler)

While Barry doesn’t credit the lack of hair for the team’s success, some of his other teammates aren’t so sure.

Leading the team’s pitching staff is senior Connor Reeves, who at 9-2 currently sits just four wins away from breaking the program record for most wins by a pitcher.

On Wednesday, Reeves pitched a complete game, which included 11 strikeouts and zero walks. Although he also thinks the team’s win streak is more because of the Gulls’ work ethic and dedication, he can’t help but also think his friend’s decision played a part in Salisbury’s success.

“Baseball players are already superstitious as it is, but yeah, he cut his hair and now look at us,” Reeves said. “We started winning as soon as he cut it, so I’ll take it.”

For Barry specifically, his recent performance has been the best of the season since the streak began.

The third baseman currently holds a .419 batting average, has 39 hits and has batted home 18 runners. He was named the ECAC Baseball Division III South Player of the Week, leading his team to five wins, recording four homers, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored last week.

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Sea Gulls celebrate Jack Barry's homeragainst the University of Mary Washington during the CAC championship game Saturday, April 22, 2017.(Photo: Staff Photo by Megan Raymond)

“Early in the season we had our struggles, but I think things are starting to click for all of us,” Barry said. “At the right time too; heading into this stretch of conference play and the tournament, this is right where we want to be. We’ve had a run and we’re hoping to keep it going.”

The Gulls have eight games remaining on the regular season schedule before the conference tournament kicks off May 4. Hoping for a chance to host, Salisbury will have to be near perfect to keep pace with current top-seed Christopher Newport.

But with Barry and his new head of hair leading the way, the Gulls don’t expect to lose any time soon.

As for Reeves, he plans on keeping his hair, but said Barry’s not the only one who uses scissors and a razor to rid himself of bad mojo.

“My thing is shaving,” Reeves said. “If I give up an earned run, I shave, restart and get back on the mound.”